Continuous casting machine

ABSTRACT

In a continuous casting machine two molds, each having the first section of the apron of a secondary cooling zone connected thereto to form a unit, are mounted on a turntable which is rotatable on a vertical axis. Each of said units is mounted to swing on said turntable on a horizontal axis. Thus, while one of said units is in casting position, and while casting continues, the other unit may be repaired or exchanged for a unit of different casting cross-section. To shift from one unit to another, both units are swung upwardly on their horizontal axes, and the turntable is then rotated on its vertical axis to bring the selected unit to proper position to allow the unit to be swung down to casting position.

United States Patent [19 Bollig et al.

[ CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Georg Bollig, Buederich;Josef Zeller, Weesen; Willi Simons, Duesseldorf, all of Germany [73]Assignee: Schloemann Aktiengesellschaft, Dusseldorf, Germany 221 Filed:Dec. 14,1971

211 App]. No.: 207,929

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 14, 1970 Germany ..P 2O 61436.2

[52] US. Cl..... ..164/274, 164/282 [51] Int. Cl. ..B22d 11/08 [58]Field of Search 164/273, 274, 282

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,583,469 6/1971 Peytavin etal. ..164/273 R 51 May 1, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [57]ABSTRACT In a continuous casting machine two molds, each having thefirst section of the apron of a secondary cooling zone connected theretoto form a unit, are mounted on a turntable which is rotatable on avertical axis. Each of said units is mounted to swing on said turntableon a horizontal axis. Thus, while one of said units isin castingposition, and while casting continues, the other unit may be repaired orexchanged for a unit of different casting cross-section. To shift fromone unit to another, both units are swung upwardly on their horizontalaxes, and the turntable is then rotated on its vertical axis to bringthe selected unit to proper position to allow the unit to be swung downto casting position.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented May1,1973 3,730255 4 Sheets-Sheet 5' CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINEThe invention relates to a continuous casting machine in which the moldand the first section of the apron form a unit that can be removed fromcasting position. For improving the degree of utilization of continuouscasting machines it isdesirable to shorten the stoppages in the event ofa change in casting cross-section, a quality change or operationaltrouble.

In a continuous casting machine known in the art the upper section ofthe apron is combined with the mold table to form a structural unitwhich can be tilted about a stationary axis. For a replacement of theunit, pins, bolts and water supply pipes must be undone to enable themold table to be tiltably raised by the foundry crane. After anotherscrew connection has been un done the apron section can be exchanged fora prepared fresh unit. This exchange which must be performed with theaid of the crane takes some time to complete. Another drawback is thatfor undoing and.

remaking the screw connections as well as the connection to the linkageof the oscillating drive additional men must be kept available. Thisapplies also to a continuous casting machine in which the mold, the moldtable and the adjoining section of the apron form a unit that can belifted out and relowered by the crane.

It is the object of the present invention to accelerate the replacementprocedure by saving as much labor and as much crane work as possible.According to the invention this is achieved by the provision of aturntable, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, for the reception oftwo units, each comprising a mold and a first section of the apron, thatcan be optionally moved into alignment with the upper end of the rest ofthe apron.

This releases the crane for other work. The mold and the first sectionof the apron can already be aligned whilst they are still in thestand-by position on the turntable, so that after having been hingeablylowered into working position and locked no further correction isnecessary.

A continuous casting machine has already been proposed in which at leasta part of the roller apron directly following the mold is traversibleacross the casting axis so that it can be exchanged. However, this is anarrangement that requires considerable space on both sides of the apronand the casting platform' must therefore be wider.

According to another feature of the present invention the units can behingeably raised on the turntable. When there are several castingstrands side-by-side, this arrangement enables them to be as closelyspaced as heretofore without mutual interference between the associatedturntables when the units are being replaced.

In the case of molds equipped with an oscillating drive it is desirablethat the'oscillating drive which is mounted in a fixed position shouldbe releasably connected to the mold. This can be achieved by theinterposition between the oscillating drive and the mold of twotransmission levers which are hingeably interconnectable by a pinentering an open-ended slot. This connection is releasable in thedirection in which the mold is hingeably raisable. In other words, whenthe unit is raised or lowered the connection of the mold to theoscillating drive is automatically released and reestablished.

For supplying the mold with water self-closing valves turntable, withwater supply and return pipes located on the stationary casting machineframe cooperating with said valves in casting position. The connectionbetween the pipes and the valves is established when the mold ishingeably lowered.

In order to permit the tundish carriage to run into pouring position,sections carrying a track may be located in recesses in the hinged partof the turntable, thereby extending the track provided on the castingplatform for the tundish carriages across the turntable.

In the further development of the invention a section carrying thebearings of the turntable is mounted on trunnions extending parallel tothe axis of curvature of the apron and connected to a frame supportingthe continuation of the apron. This prevents the upper unit comprisingthe mold and the first apron section from being displaced in relation tothe rest of the apron when expansion occurs, a possibility for yieldingbeing pro.- vided. V i

The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a turntable carrying two molds.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the turntable.

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line III --.-III in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the disposition of twocontinuous casting machines equipped with turntables.

Pivotably mounted on trunnions 3 on the supporting framework 1 of acontinuous casting machine is a box section 2. Attached to the boxsection 2 is a frame 4 which carries sections 5 of a roller apron.Likewise secured to the box section'2 is a platform 6 which carries acircular track 7. The ring mount 8 of a turntable 9 runs in this track 7on balls. The ring mount 8'has inter.- nal gear teeth 10 engaged by apinion 12 driven by a motor 11.

On diametrically opposite sides of the turntable 9 two arms 15, 16 arepivotably mounted on horizontal pivot pins 13, 14. Each arm v15 16 isformed with a recessed socket 17, 18 for the reception of lateraltrunnions 19 of a first guide zone 20. The guiding elements in thisfirst guidezone 20 are plates 2L and rollers 21. Located above each ofthe first guide zone- 20 isa mold 23 resting in a U-shaped saddle 24.

Fitted to the side of the first guide zones 20 are brackets 25 whichcarry rollers 26 running between ledges 27 fitted to'the inside of thesaddles 24.

Each saddle24is suspended from two upper links 28 and two loweroperating levers 29, 30 which are attached to a shaft31 mounted on thearms 15,163An extension 32 on each operating lever 29, 30 is. connectedto the arm 15 respectively 16 through an inter An eccentric 36 foroscillating the molds is driven by a motor 37 secured to the box section2. The eccentric 36 operates a pusher arm 38 which is linked to atransmission lever 39 mounted on the platform 6. Fitted to the other endof the transmission lever 39 is a pin 40 which enters an open slot 41 ina lever 42 on shaft 31 when the unit is lowered. Connection to theoperating lever 42 of the mold 23 is thus established.

For supplying water to the mold 23, self-closure valves 43 connected tothe mold 23 by pipes not shown are mounted on the arms. Associated withthe self-closing valves 43 are water supply and return pipes 44, 45 onthe platform 6. These elements are automatically coupled when the arms15, 16 are lowered into pouring position.

Sections 48 carrying rail tracks 47 are let into recesses 46 in the armsl5, 16. This arrangement extends a track 49 for tundish cars on thecasting platform across the turntable 9.

We claim as our invention: 7

' 1. In a continuous casting machine in which the mold and the firstsection of the apron of the secondary cooling zone are connectedtogether to form a unit, a platform, a turntable mounted thereon torotate about a vertical axis to bring a selected unit to castingposition, means to support two of said units on said turntable, saidmeans being mounted to swing on parallel horizontal axes.

2. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 including means to oscillate one ofsaid units when it is in casting position, said unit being detachablyconnected to said oscillating means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said oscillating meanscomprises two interconnected levers, one of said levers having a slottherein and the other of said levers carrying a pin which engages saidslot when said unit is in casting position, and disengages said slotwhen said unit swings away from casting position.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said platform carriescooling water supply and return pipes, and said turntable carriesself-closing valves, said pipes and valves being in operative engagementwhen a unit is in casting position and disengaged when said unit is outof casting position. v

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said turntable is providedwith recesses carrying tracks for a tundish car, said tracks formingextensions of tracks located on the casting platform when either of saidunits is in casting position.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said platform is mounted ona box section carried on trunnions which extend parallel to the axis ofcurvature of the said apron, and having a frame carried by said boxsection which supports the continuation of said apron.

1. In a continuous casting machine in which the mold and the firstsection of the apron of the secondary cooling zone are connectedtogether to form a unit, a platform, a turntable mounted thereon torotate about a vertical axis to bring a selected unit to castingposition, means to support two of said units on said turntable, saidmeans being mounted to swing on parallel horizontal axes.
 2. Apparatusas claimed in claim 1 including means to oscillate one of said unitswhen it is in casting position, said unit being detachably connected tosaid oscillating means.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which saidoscillating means comprises two interconnected levers, one of saidlevers having a slot therein and the other of said levers carrying a pinwhich engages said slot when said unit is in casting position, anddisengages said slot when said unit swings away from casting position.4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said platform carriescooling water supply and return pipes, and said turntable carriesself-closing valves, said pipes and valves being in operative engagementwhen a unit is in casting position and disengaged when said unit is outof casting position.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which saidturntable is provided with recesses carrying tracks for a tundish car,said tracks forming extensions of tracks located on the casting platformwhen either of said units is in casting position.
 6. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 in which said platform is mounted on a box sectioncarried on trunnions which extend parallel to the axis of curvature ofthe said apron, and having a frame carried by said box section whichsupports the continuation of said apron.